4.4 Online collaborative learning 4.4.1 What is online collaborative learning? The concurrence of both constructivist approaches to learning and the development of the Internet has led to the development of a particular form of constructivist teaching, originally called computer-mediated communication (CMC), or networked learning, but which has been developed into what Harasim (2012) now calls online collaborative learning theory (OCL). She describes OCL as follows (p. 90): OCL theory provides a model of learning in which students are encouraged and supported to work together to create knowledge: to invent, to explore ways to innovate, and, by so doing, to seek the conceptual knowledge needed to solve problems rather than recite what they think is the right answer. From the very early days of online learning, some instructors have focused heavily on the communication affordances of the Internet (see for instance, Hiltz and Turoff, 1978). 4.4.2 Core design principles of OCL 4.4.3 Community of Inquiry 4.4.8 Summary 1. 2. 3.
Adapting to Change Requires These 3 Types of Flexbility | CCL Adaptable Leaders Have These 3 Types of Flexibility Now more than ever before, leaders all over the world are facing change and complexity — the coronavirus pandemic has presented us all with new challenges, new circumstances, and new uncertainties. Jobs are morphing, shrinking, and disappearing; co-workers, teammates, and technology are changing. Adaptability is a requirement. Because change is constant and inevitable, leaders must be flexible to succeed. CCL research confirms this imperative to adapt. Successful executives in North America and Europe: Adapt to the changing external pressures facing the organization.Adjust their management style to changing situations.Accept changes as positive.Revise plans as necessary.Consider other people’s concerns during change. Conversely, the inability to develop or adapt was the most frequently cited reason for career derailment among North American managers. That’s because inflexible leaders limit the adaptability of others. 1. 2. 3. Be curious.
- Critical Thinking Model 1 To Analyze Thinking We Must Identify and Question its Elemental Structures Standard: Clarityunderstandable, the meaning can be grasped Could you elaborate further? Could you give me an example? Standard: Accuracyfree from errors or distortions, true How could we check on that? Standard: Precisionexact to the necessary level of detail Could you be more specific? Standard: Relevancerelating to the matter at hand How does that relate to the problem? Standard: Depthcontaining complexities and multiple interrelationships What factors make this a difficult problem? Standard: Breadthencompassing multiple viewpoints Do we need to look at this from another perspective? Standard: Logicthe parts make sense together, no contradictions Does all this make sense together? Standard: Significancefocusing on the important, not trivial Is this the most important problem to consider? Standard: FairnessJustifiable, not self-serving or one-sided Do I have any vested interest in this issue? Think About... Gather...
What is leadership, and who is a leader? We talk about leaders and leadership nearly every day in the business world, but have you ever tried to actually define leadership? It can be much harder than you may think, but taking the time to define leadership and what makes a leader is crucial to building a cohesive culture and developing future leaders. What is Leadership? As part of the research for my new book, “The Future Leader,” I interviewed more than 140 CEOs around the world and asked them each to define leadership. Many people struggled or had to pause to think because it’s a word we use so frequently without really defining. Some CEOs defined leadership as having business acumen, like setting a vision or achieving goals for a company. Who is a Leader? Who then is a leader? A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies people to move toward that better vision. Creating Leadership Filters Everyone knows what leadership is, but few people can actually put it into words.
Critical Thinking and Problem-solving What is Critical Thinking? When examining the vast literature on critical thinking, various definitions of critical thinking emerge. Here are some samples: "Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action" (Scriven, 1996 ). "Most formal definitions characterize critical thinking as the intentional application of rational, higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, problem recognition and problem solving, inference, and evaluation" (Angelo, 1995, p. 6 ). "Critical thinking is thinking that assesses itself" ( Center for Critical Thinking, 1996b ). Perhaps the simplest definition is offered by Beyer (1995) : "Critical thinking... means making reasoned judgments" (p. 8). Back to List Characteristics of Critical Thinking
3 Ways Great Leaders Use Creativity to Engage Others The need for creativity may be at an all-time high as organizations venture to find a new normal in the midst of COVID-19. The bright side is that human beings are highly creative, and the best leaders know it. They understand that each team has the ability to be creative in its own way and know how to find and engage with that creativity. The ability for leaders to unleash this creativity is quickly transitioning from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have-now.” There are some key pieces all leaders can examine to see what they’re currently doing to harness creativity and engage the people they lead, what they can do more of and what they may need to start doing. 1. As Allison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. “You can’t expect to wake up one morning and run a marathon without training,” points out Ronald D. 2. Engaging leaders realize that not every person will bring forward a big and bold idea but that every person can bring forward an idea. 3.
Defining Critical Thinking It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning: purpose, problem, or question-at-issue; assumptions; concepts; empirical grounding; reasoning leading to conclusions; implications and consequences; objections from alternative viewpoints; and frame of reference. Critical thinking — in being responsive to variable subject matter, issues, and purposes — is incorporated in a family of interwoven modes of thinking, among them: scientific thinking, mathematical thinking, historical thinking, anthropological thinking, economic thinking, moral thinking, and philosophical thinking. Critical thinking can be seen as having two components: 1) a set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and 2) the habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide behavior. Critical thinking varies according to the motivation underlying it. Another Brief Conceptualization of Critical Thinking ~ Linda Elder, September, 2007
3 Key Leadership Questions to Answer Now The COVID-19 crisis is profoundly impacting how we feel, think, live and work, all of which is of concern to leaders as they seek to protect and nurture their teams. While we like to think we know our people well, the truth is that the crisis has raised issues that we have never had to think about before. Working virtually is challenging enough. Doing so because the world is in a crisis heightens the challenge. Leadership is about containing anxiety, and now is an opportunity for you to lean in and step up. People are complicated. 1. Productivity is about more than having somewhere to sit and broadband. As a leader, how can you keep people motivated and productive? 2. Energy is contagious, but when we meet remotely, we do not have a chance to pick up on others’ energy, which can make meetings tiring. Your formal meetings aren’t the only ones that have become virtual. Make your meetings shorter and more frequent. 3. Asking people questions is a great way to encourage self-reflection.